Before you Leave

A Shikamaru & Temari Story

Author NotesThis is my first attempt at writing a Naruto fanfic. It has also become an introductory story to a short series I am working on further illustrating Shikamaru & Temari, though they will not be the only characters of the storyline. Please review. I enjoy constructive criticism. After all, how can I improve as an author if I do now know where I need to improve?

Disclaimer Naruto is an anime/manga by Masashi Kishimoto. I claim no rights to the characters or original story line.

This was troublesome…..thought Shikamaru from the spot where he stay hidden around the corner. He almost thought to leave it be and go home for the evening. It was getting pretty late and he had been there for far too long now.

Shikamaru had been on his way home, after a conference with the 5th had lasted far longer then expected, when he spotted Temari sitting out in front of the building where she and her brothers stayed while they were visiting in Konoha. The Sand ninjas had become powerful allies and were a great asset to the Hidden Leaf Village during their time of hardship. However, The three ninja had been called back to the Sand Village for a special mission and would leave in the morning.

Shikamaru was just about to step out of the shadows from the side of the building when Temari's brother's, Kankuro and Gaara came into sight down the street. Kankuro was mumbling about something that couldn't be made out because of the distance and Gaara walked beside him in his usual calm and naturally cool manner.

Temari stood and walked towards her brothers, her arms crossed and her face frozen with a look of annoyance. "What took you so long?" She called to them.

Ducking back into the shadows and around the corner of the building, Shikamaru let out a sigh of annoyance. It would be too bothersome to approach her with her brother's around, he thought. He just didn't want to deal with them at the moment. He wasn't even sure why he wanted to bother with their troublesome sister.

"Sorry Temari," came Kankuro's voice to Shikamaru's ears. "We ran into Naruto at the ramen stand," he explained matter-of-factly, as if that should explain everything.

Ramen? There were out eating ramen at this hour? Shikamaru leaned against the wall and stare up at the moon, only partly listening to the conversation as the trio made their way back to the building.

"You should be thankful, Kankuro," Spoke Gaara in a calm and neutral voice. "If it wasn't for Naruto having been there, the ramen stand would have closed hours ago."

"Honestly!" Temari mumbled. "I don't see why you needed ramen this late at night, Kankuro," she scolded.

Kankuro gave a nervous laugh. Temari was sure laying on the big sister act tonight. "What can I say, I'm still a growing boy," he said to his defense.

Watching from around the corner, Shikamaru noted as the three siblings made their way to the door. He timed his strategy, waiting as Gaara opened the door to enter with Kankuro close behind. Using his Shadow Mimicry, Shikamaru froze Temari before she could follow her brother's through the door.

"Aren't you coming, Temari?" Kankuro's voice could be heard from inside.

So, he finally made a move, Temari thought to herself. She had wondered how long the youngest Chunin of Konoha planned to watch her. She had sensed his Chi earlier. She doubted he would approach her. Yet, the thought didn't even cross her mind that he might use his jutsu to announce himself to her.

Gaara peered through the door at her from behind Kankuro. He had surely felt the presence. Gaara's expressions were hard to decipher, but for him to take such notice was his show of concern for his sister.

"I'm fine, I just remembered that there is something I must do. I'll be in shortly. Go on to bed." Temari answered in response to his unspoken question.

"This Late?" Burst Kankuro. "You just scolded us for being out so late…." He continued to say, only to be pulled away by Gaara as he closed the door.

Shikamaru let out a sigh of relief and let go of his shadow hold. The situation could have become a major nuisance if she had decided to make a big deal out of things. Temari was as familiar with his jutsu as any of the native villagers of Konoha now, and for the first time he felt very relieved about that.

Feeling the release of the jutsu, Temari took a step back and started towards the corner where she had felt his presence. She turned the corner to find him staring up at the moon with his usual vacant expression. "Is that your way of capturing a girl?" She bantered at him.

"This is so troublesome, I don't know why I'm bothering," he responded after a moment of thought. Shikamaru pushed away from the wall and turned as if to head back the way from which he had come.

"You're running away again?" Temari scolded with a frown. "What a waste of my time," she spat and spun around on her heals to head inside. As she raised a foot to take her first step, she suddenly found herself frozen again. "What a waste of chakra," she mumbled. With that, she found her hold suddenly released and lost her balance. Throwing an arm out for support against the wall of the building, she suddenly found that an arm came around her waist for support.

She took a glance at him over her shoulder to find him looking away from her and staring at the wall as if it had something of great interest written on it. Turning out of his grasp, she positioned herself between him and the wall. "What's so interesting over there? You prefer to study a wall then a pretty girls face?" She teased.

Tilting his head to the side, like a puppy often does when it's master has acknowledged its presence, Shikamaru brought his gaze to meet with hers. "Only when the face is too pretty to stare at for long, else it begin to hurt your eyes like trying to look at the sun."

Stunned into momentary silence, Temari blinked in surprise and took a step back to find herself against the wall. Shikamaru enjoyed a moment of silence, and admired her priceless expression.

"You know," she responded after taking a moment to collect herself. "I don't usually go for guys who are younger then me. I already have two younger brothers to watch over." Shikamaru only watched her with a slight smirk. "But you're different," she concluded, completely confused by his expression.

"Troublesome matters sometimes turn out to be worth the bother." He responded, taking a step away from her to look back up at the moon.

Temari watched him for a moment. What was with this guy, she wondered to herself. "It's good that the moon is not as bright as the sun."

A smile came to his lips and he returned his gaze back to hers. "Your eyes are the color of the sky illuminated around the moon."

"You flatter me," Temari responded with a blush and broke their eye contact.

"I just wanted to wish you well on your journey home." He finally explained his reasons for visiting her. "It will be quiet around here when you're gone."

"Should I take that as a compliment or will you be glad for the silence," she smirked at him, wondering about the true meaning of his words.

"T…that's not what I meant…" Shikamaru stammered, stunned by her comeback.

"You're cute." Temari said with a sudden smile. Taking a couple of steps to bridge the gap between them she framed his face with her hands and kissed his nose. "Thank you for your wishes. I will think of you whenever I see my shadow," and she turned away to go inside.

Shikamaru wiggled his nose and watched as she disappeared around the corner. His thoughts overflowed in his mind. What had just happened? Shikamaru leaned back against the wall and looked up at the moon once again.